Sabine

Elder Müller

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:1-2)

John the Baptist lived in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 3:1; Luke 3:2). He wore clothes made
of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6).

John traveled throughout Jordan preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. His mission was to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus Christ. He told them the Lord would soon come and they had to be ready to meet
Him. (Matthew 3:2-3; Mark 1:2-4; Luke 3:3-4).
Many people repented, and John baptized them in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:5).
He also taught the people to treat others with kindness and to share what they had with those who were in need (Luke 3:11, Luke 3:14).

Summary

John the Baptist was a prophet who lived in the wilderness of Judea. His mission was to prepare people for the coming of Jesus Christ. John taught the people repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. Many believed his words
and came to be baptized.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. (Mark 1:9)

When Jesus was about 30 years old, He came from Nazareth to the river Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:23).
John knew that Jesus had not sinned, so he did not think Jesus needed to be baptized. Instead, John felt that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus explained to John that even the Savior of the world must be baptized. (Matthew 3:14-15).

"And John went down into the water and baptized [Jesus].

"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and John saw ... the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus.

Summary

Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan River. John knew that Jesus was without sin, and so he thought Jesus did not need baptism. When Jesus explained that even the Savior must be baptized, John went down into
the water and baptized Him. When Jesus came out of the water, John saw the Holy Ghost come to the Savior and heard Heavenly Father's voice bearing witness of His Beloved Son.

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)

While Jesus was by the Sea of Galilee, many people crowded around to hear Him teach the word of God. Jesus saw two ships by the shore where the fishermen were washing their nets. He stepped onto Simon Peter's ship, asking the fishermen
to move it from the shore; then He sat down and taught the people from the ship. (Luke 5:1-3).)

When Jesus finished speaking, He told Peter to take the boat out where the water was deep and let down the nets for a large catch of fish (Luke 5:4).
Peter told Jesus that he and the other fishermen had worked all night without catching any fish. "Nevertheless," he continued, "at thy word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5).
Peter and Andrew lowered their net into the water, and it was filled with so many fish that it started to break. They called their partners, James and John, who were in another ship, to help them, and they filled both ships with
so many fish that the ships began to sink. (Luke 5:6-7).

When Simon Peter saw all the fish, he fell down at Jesus' knees and said, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). Peter and the
others were amazed at the great number of fish they had caught (Luke 5:9-10).

Summary

One day, Jesus taught from Peter's boat on the Sea of Galilee. Afterward He told Peter to take the boat to deep water and let out the nets to catch fish. Peter explained that he and others had been fishing all night without catching
anything, but he said he would do as Jesus commanded. Peter and his brother Andrew caught so many fish that their net began to break. James and John came in another boat to help. The fishermen were all amazed. Jesus called Peter
and Andrew to follow Him and become fishers of men. He also called James and John. They all left their boats and nets and followed Jesus.

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. (Mark 3:14)

Early in His ministry, Jesus spent an entire night in the mountains praying to Heavenly Father. When daylight came, He called His faithful followers to Him and chose twelve whom He ordained to be Apostles. They were Simon Peter and
his brother Andrew; James and John the sons of Zebedee; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alpheus; Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot. (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13, Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:12-16).

Jesus gave the Twelve the power of the priesthood, which they were to use to help Him in His work—preaching the gospel, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:14-15).

As Jesus neared the end of His earthly ministry, He reminded the Apostles at the Last Supper that He had called them and ordained them to preach the gospel. Jesus told the Apostles that as they did this work, "whatsoever ye shall
ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16).

Summary

By revelation Jesus Christ chose twelve of His followers and ordained them to be His Apostles. He gave them the priesthood, which is the power to act in His name, so that they could preach the gospel and minister to the people.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Sitting on a mountainside, Jesus gave His disciples teachings called the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-2). In part of the sermon, Jesus promised
special blessings, known as the Beatitudes, to people who live in certain ways. He taught:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:3-6).

Jesus also described blessings that come to the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:7-10).

Jesus went on to teach His disciples:

"Ye are the light of the world. ...

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:16).

Jesus reminded the people of many teachings in the law of Moses, one of which had told the Israelites to love their neighbors and hate their enemies. But now Jesus taught His disciples a higher law, telling them to love their enemies
and do good to them. (Matthew 5:17, Matthew 5:43-44).

After telling His disciples to pray without letting others know about it (Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus gave a pattern for prayer Matthew 6:9-13).

Jesus also said that His people should not judge others and that if His people first repent of their sins, they are better able to help others (Matthew 7:1-5).

Telling His disciples how to obtain blessings from heaven, Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7).

He also taught that few people find the narrow gate and path to heaven. Instead, many people choose the way to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14).

Jesus compared those who obey Him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. When the rains, floods, and winds came, the house did not fall, because it was built on a solid foundation. (Matthew 7:24-25).
He compared those who do not obey Him to a foolish man who built his house on sand. When the rains, floods, and winds came, the house fell. (Matthew 7:26-27).

After Jesus ended teaching, the people were astonished because He taught them with the authority and power of God (Matthew 7:28-29).

Summary

Sitting on a mountainside, Jesus gave what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. Included in this sermon were the Beatitudes, special blessings that Jesus promised for righteous living. He also asked His followers to be good examples
and to love their enemies. Jesus taught them how to pray and encouraged them to repent of their sins and not judge others. He taught that those who obey His words have a strong foundation for their lives. Those who heard Jesus
were astonished, for He taught with the power of God.